Horizontal shaft electric powerhead

ABSTRACT

An electric powerhead includes a housing including a mounting plate including a shaft opening and a plurality of first openings arranged in a standard horizontal shaft engine mounting pattern. The housing also includes a base including a plurality of second openings arranged in a standard horizontal shaft engine support pattern. The electric powerhead further includes an electric motor positioned within the housing, where the electric motor includes an output shaft that extends through the shaft opening of the mounting plate and where the output shaft is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a National Stage Application of PCT/US2018/021584,filed Mar. 8, 2018, which claims the benefit of U.S. ProvisionalApplication No. 62/469,472, filed Mar. 9, 2017, both of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND

The present invention generally relates to prime movers for outdoorpower equipment. More specifically, the present invention relates to anelectric power head and energy storage device for driving and/orpowering various components of a piece of outdoor power equipment.

SUMMARY

One embodiment of the invention relates to an electric powerheadincluding a housing with a mounting plate including a shaft opening anda multiple first openings arranged in a standard horizontal shaft enginemounting pattern, a base including multiple second openings arranged ina standard horizontal shaft engine support pattern, and an electricmotor positioned within the housing, wherein the electric motor includesan output shaft that extends through the shaft opening of the mountingplate and wherein the output shaft is configured to rotate about an axisof rotation.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to outdoor power equipmentincluding an electric powerhead including a housing with a mountingplate including a shaft opening and multiple first openings arranged ina standard horizontal shaft engine mounting pattern, a base includingmultiple second openings arranged in a standard horizontal shaft enginesupport pattern, a battery receptacle, an electric motor positionedwithin the housing, wherein the electric motor includes an output shaftthat extends through the shaft opening of the mounting plate and whereinthe output shaft is configured to rotate about an axis of rotation, anda battery configured to be removably attached to the battery receptacleto provide electricity to the electric motor.

Alternative exemplary embodiments relate to other features andcombinations of features as may be generally recited in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will become more fully understood from the followingdetailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electric powerhead, according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a top view of a power take-off mounting plate for use with theelectric powerhead of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a base of the electric powerhead of FIG. 1,according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a battery of the electric powerhead ofFIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an output shaft of the electricpowerhead of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a front view of the output shaft of FIG. 5, according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a snow thrower; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a control system of an electric powerhead,according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before turning to the figures, which illustrate the exemplaryembodiments in detail, it should be understood that the application isnot limited to the details or methodology set forth in the descriptionor illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that theterminology is for the purpose of description only and should not beregarded as limiting.

FIG. 1 illustrates an electric powerhead 100 according an exemplaryembodiment. The electric powerhead 100 includes an electric motor 105and an energy storage device or battery 110 that powers the electricmotor 105 and other electrical components. The electric powerhead 100serves as a replacement for a small internal combustion engine of thetype frequently used on a variety of equipment, including outdoor powerequipment and portable jobsite equipment. Outdoor power equipmentincludes lawn mowers, riding tractors, snow throwers, pressure washers,tillers, log splitters, zero-turn radius mowers, walk-behind mowers,riding mowers, stand-on mowers, pavement surface preparation devices,industrial vehicles such as forklifts, utility vehicles, commercial turfequipment such as blowers, vacuums, debris loaders, overseeders, powerrakes, aerators, sod cutters, brush mowers, portable generators, etc.Outdoor power equipment may, for example, use the electric powerhead 100to drive an implement, such as a rotary blade of a lawn mower, a pump ofa pressure washer, an auger of a snow thrower, and/or a drivetrain ofthe outdoor power equipment. Portable jobsite equipment includesportable light towers, mobile industrial heaters, and portable lightstands.

The electric powerhead 100 also includes a housing 115 with a base 180and a power take-off (PTO) mounting plate 120 (FIG. 2) for securing theelectric powerhead 100 to a mounting location on a piece of equipment(e.g., to secure the electric powerhead 100 to the platform of a snowthrower). The housing 115 is sized so that the electric powerhead 100has substantially the same volume as a comparable small internalcombustion engine that provides a similar mechanical output (e.g., powerand torque) so that the electric powerhead 100 can be used as a directreplacement for comparable small internal combustion engines. Theelectric powerhead 100 provides a maximum output of approximately 5.5horsepower (HP). In other embodiments, the electric powerhead 100provides a maximum output of approximately 5.8 HP. In other embodiments,the electric powerhead 100 provides more or less maximum output.Standard small internal combustion engines having a similar output havestandard dimensions including a standard height, a standard width, astandard depth, and a standard cross-sectional area or footprint (widthtimes depth). For example, for comparable standard small internalcombustion engines, the standard depth is approximately 12.2 inches (312millimeters (mm)), the standard width is approximately 14.3 inches (362mm), and the standard height is approximately 13.6 inches (346 mm), witha cross-sectional area of approximately 174.5 inches squared (1.13×10⁵mm²) and a volume of approximately 2372.7 cubic inches (3.91×10⁷ mm³). Adistance, area, or volume is “substantially the same” as one of thestandard distances, areas, or volumes of a comparable standard smallengine when such a distance, area, or volume allows another componenthaving such a distance, area, or volume to be readily used in place ofthe standard small engine. In some embodiments of the present invention,plus or minus 15% of the distance, area, or volume is the outer limitfor a distance, area, or volume to be considered “substantially thesame” as one of the standard distances, areas, or volumes.

As another example, for comparable standard small internal combustionengines, the standard depth is approximately 11.7 inches (297 mm), thestandard width is approximately 13.6 inches (346 mm), and the standardheight is approximately 13.0 inches (329 mm), with a cross-sectionalarea of approximately 159.1 inches squared (1.12×10⁵ mm²) and a volumeof approximately 2068.6 cubic inches (3.38×10⁷ mm³).

As yet another example, for comparable standard small internalcombustion engines, the standard depth is approximately 12.6 inches (321mm), the standard width is approximately 14.8 inches (376 mm), and thestandard height is approximately 13.6 inches (346 mm), with across-sectional area of approximately 186.5 inches squared (1.21×10⁵mm²) and a volume of approximately 2536.1 cubic inches (4.18×10⁷ mm³).

The PTO mounting plate 120 includes a set of openings arranged in astandard horizontal shaft engine mounting pattern (e.g., an SAE or otherindustry standard for mounting small internal combustion engines).Engine mounting patterns are standardized so that engines produced bydifferent engine manufactures can be mounted to equipment produced bydifferent original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) without having tocustomize the mounting arrangement between the engine and the equipment.This allows an OEM to offer the same equipment with different enginesfrom different manufacturers to meet the OEM's engine needs or thecustomer's engine needs. Bolts or other fasteners are inserted throughthe openings to attach the PTO mounting plate 120 at a desired mountinglocation. In other embodiments, the PTO mounting plate 120 includes twoor more sets of openings with each set arranged in a standard enginemounting pattern. In the illustrated embodiment, the set of openings 170has four openings 170. The four openings 170 are arranged in a squarecentered at the origin 145 and spaced apart from each other by adistance 171. In some embodiments, the openings 170 have a diameter ofapproximately 0.3125 inches and the distance 171 is approximately 2.56inches. In other embodiments, the openings 170 have a diameter ofapproximately 0.315 inches (8 mm).

As shown in FIG. 3, the base 180 includes a set of openings 187 arrangedin a standard horizontal engine support pattern. Bolts or otherfasteners are inserted through the openings 187 to attach the base 180at a desired mounting location. Like the engine mounting patternsdiscussed above, horizontal engine support patterns are standardized. Inthe illustrated embodiment, the set of openings 187 includes fouropenings 187 arranged in a rectangle having a first distance or width190 between the center points of two openings 187 and a second distanceor depth 195 between the center points of two openings 187. In someembodiments, the width 190 is 6.38 inches and the depth 195 is 3.12inches. In some embodiments, some or all of the openings 187 have adiameter of 0.35 inch. In some embodiments, the front openings 187(i.e., those closest to the outer surface 150 of the mounting plate 120)are elongated slots. In some embodiments, the elongated slots have adiameter of 0.35 inch and a length of 0.55 inch. In some embodiments,the height 200 is 4.17 inches (shown in FIG. 1), the distance 207 is2.60 inches, and the distance 210 is 3.78 inches. The center points ofthe front openings 187 in the base 180 (i.e., those closest to the outersurface 150 of the mounting plate 120) are spaced a distance 212 fromthe outer surface 150 of the mounting plate 120. In some embodiments,the distance 212 is 1.40 inches. Like the engine mounting patterns andsupport patterns, discussed above, the height of the axis of rotation ofthe output shaft of a horizontal shaft engine above a mounting surface,the location of the axis of rotation relative to the supporting pattern,and the location of the supporting pattern relative to the mountingplate are standardized.

In some embodiments, the PTO mounting plate 120 and/or base 180 aremolded over a metallic insert. The PTO mounting plate 120 and base 180are made from molded plastic and the insert is made from an aluminummaterial. In other embodiments, the PTO mounting plate 120, base 180,and insert are made from other materials. The insert includes aring-shaped portion and a set of bosses or protrusions extending outwardfrom the outer surface of the ring-shaped portion. In other embodiments,the insert includes a rectangular-shaped portion with a set of bosses orprotrusions extending therefrom. The insert includes a set of openingsincluding four openings that align concentrically with the set ofopenings 170, 187 on the PTO mounting plate 120 and base 180,respectively. Each opening on the insert extends through the center of aprotrusion. The openings of the insert are smaller in diameter than theopenings 170, 187 of the PTO mounting plate 120 and base 180 such thatthe protrusions extend through and are approximately flush with theouter surfaces of the PTO mounting plate 120 and base 180. Accordingly,bolts or other fasteners that are used to mount the engine powerhead 100to a piece of outdoor power equipment extend through the openings in theinsert and PTO mounting plate 120 and/or base 180 and engage with (e.g.,clamp against) the surfaces of the insert protrusions instead ofengaging with the PTO mounting plate 120 and/or base 180. As such, whenmounting the engine powerhead 100 to a piece of equipment, fasteners areengaged with the metallic material of the insert and not against theplastic material of the PTO mounting plate 120 and/or base 180. Byfastening a metallic fastener against the metallic material of theinsert, loosening of fasteners over time due to thermal changes anddeformation of the plastic material is avoided.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the housing 115 includes a battery receptacle215 configured to receive a removable battery 110. The removable battery110 is able to be attached to and removed from the battery receptacle215 without the use of tools. In other embodiments, the battery 110 maybe attached to the housing 115 in a fixed manner that would require theuse of tools to remove the battery 110 from the housing. The batteryreceptacle 215 and the battery 110 include contacts that are configuredto engage or connect with each other to complete an electrical circuitwhen the battery 110 is attached to the battery receptacle 215. Thisallows the battery 110 to provide electricity to the electric motor 105and other electrical components as will be explained in more detailbelow. The battery 110 includes multiple electrochemical battery cells.According to an exemplary embodiment, each cell is a cylindrical lithiumion (Li-ion) cell that extends along a longitudinal cell axis. In otherembodiments, the cells may be differently shaped (e.g., prismatic cells)or may have different battery chemistries (e.g., nickel-cadmium,lead-acid, nickel metal hydride, nickel-zinc, etc.). The battery 110 maybe provided in different configurations providing different energycapacities and voltage ratings. For example, in some embodiments thebattery 110 provides between 150 and 500 watt hours of energy at avoltage rating of 82 volts. In other embodiments, different energycapacities and voltage ratings are provided. In some embodiments,multiple batteries 110 and battery receptacles 215 are provided toincrease the amount of electrical energy available for use by theelectric powerhead 100.

The battery receptacle 215 is positioned in the housing 115 so that astraight axis of insertion 230 along which the battery 110 is insertedinto the battery receptacle 215 is positioned at an angle θ relative tothe axis of rotation 137 of the output shaft 130 in a vertical planethat includes the axis of rotation 137. The battery receptacle 215includes a stop surface that is configured to contact a face or othersurface of the battery 110 when the battery 110 is inserted into thebattery receptacle 215 to limit the insertion of the battery 110 intothe battery receptacle 215. In some embodiments, the axis of insertion230 is orthogonal to the stop surface of the battery receptacle 215. Insome embodiments, when the battery 110 is attached to the batteryreceptacle 215, the longitudinal axes of the battery cells of thebattery 110 are parallel to the axis of insertion 230.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the battery 110 and battery receptacle 215 arepositioned proximate the top portion 107 of the housing 115. As such,the battery 110 is positioned in substantially the same location as afuel fill on a comparable small internal combustion engine. In otherembodiments, the battery 110 and battery receptacle 215 are positionedproximate the rear portion 109 of the housing 115. In this way, thebattery 110 is positioned in substantially the same location as a recoilcover on a comparable small internal combustion engine. In each of theembodiments described, the battery 110 is readily accessible to a useron the top or rear portions 107, 109 of the housing 115 so that the usercan insert and remove the battery 110 without removing the electricpowerhead 100 from a mounted position on a piece of outdoor powerequipment (e.g., the snow thrower shown in FIG. 7). By positioning thebattery 110 in locations common for positioning either a fuel fill (fueltank) or a recoil starter, no customizing is needed on equipment fromvarious OEMs because the OEM shrouding on various equipment includesexisting access to those location points. This allows the electricpowerhead 100 to be used as a direct replacement for a small internalcombustion engine used on various equipment produced by different OEMswithout the need for retooling.

In some embodiments, the battery 110 and the battery receptacle 215include mechanical aligning features to ensure proper alignment betweenthe battery 110 and the battery receptacle 215 and/or to guide thebattery 110 into the battery receptacle 215. For example, the battery110 includes a protrusion and the battery receptacle 215 includes acorresponding slot to receive the protrusion. As shown in FIG. 1, insome embodiments, the housing 115 includes a battery cover to secure thebattery 110 to the battery receptacle 215. The battery 110 may beremoved and attached to a charging station to charge the battery 110.The charging station connects to a source of electricity (e.g., thepower grid, a generator, etc.) and may include a transformer.Alternatively or additionally, the battery 110 or the housing 115includes an outlet or port to connect to a charging device. The chargingdevice includes a plug and a cord to connect the outlet to a source ofelectricity (e.g., the power grid, a generator, etc.) and may include atransformer.

The electric motor 105 is positioned within the housing 115. Theelectric motor 105 may be directly supported by the housing 115 orsupported by a cradle or other support structure located within thehousing 115. In different embodiments, the electric motor 105 isprovided with different power ratings (e.g. 1,500 watts, 2,500 watts, or3,500 watts). In addition to the output shaft 130, the electric motor105 includes a stator and a rotor. The rotor and the output shaft 130rotate about the axis of rotation 137 when the electric motor 105 isactivated. In some embodiments, a fan is coupled to the rotor androtates to cause cooling air to pass over the electric motor 105 whenactivated.

In some embodiments, an intake air filter is provided upstream of amotor intake air vent 175 to limit the intake of debris into the housing115 with the intake of air through the vent 175. In some embodiments,the intake air filter includes a housing and a filter cartridgeremovably inserted into or attached to the housing 115. The filtercartridge includes filter media for filtering the air flow through theintake air filter. In some embodiments, the housing and/or the filtercartridge are arranged to provide cyclonic filters before filtering bythe filter media by inducing a cyclonic airflow to remove debris fromthe airflow. The filter media is made of a washable material, such as anylon or plastic mesh material. The filter media may have an IngressProtection Rating of IP-67 (indicating waterproof and dust resistance).In other embodiments, the filter media is made of paper. In someembodiments, the electric motor 105 drives the fan used to draw air intoa motor intake air vent 175 in an opposite direction to clear debrisfrom the motor intake air vent 175 and/or the intake air filter.

As shown in FIGS. 5-6, the output shaft 130 includes a first diameter132 extending along a first portion 131 for a first length 121, a seconddiameter 136 extending along a second portion 137 for a second length125, and an overall length 138. The first diameter 132 is smaller thanthe second diameter 136, with a step 133 positioned between the firstand second diameters 132, 136. In other embodiments, the first diameter132 is larger than the second diameter 136. In other embodiments, thefirst diameter 132 and second diameter 136 are the same. A keyway 134extends from the end 135 along the first portion 131 for a length 139.The output shaft 130 is dimensionally similar to existing engine outputshafts such that the output shaft 130 can be used across a wide varietyof applications already using the existing engines. For example, in oneembodiment, the output shaft 130 has a first diameter 132 ofapproximately 0.75 inches (19.05 mm). In another embodiment, the firstdiameter 132 is approximately 0.79 inches (20 mm). In anotherembodiment, the first diameter 132 is approximately 0.71 inches (18 mm).In one embodiment, the first length 121 is approximately 2.303 inches(58.5 mm). In another embodiment, the first length 121 is approximately1.969 inches (50 mm). In other embodiments, the first length 121 can beshorter or longer in length and the first diameter 132 can be larger orsmaller. With such dimensions, OEMs can use the output shaft 130 of theelectric powerhead 100 without need for custom fitting or accessories tocouple the output shaft 130 to existing equipment.

The electric powerhead 100 also includes a controller or processingcircuit 250 for controlling operation of electrical components of thepowerhead 100. In some embodiments, the controller 250 also controlsoperation of and/or communicates with electrical components coupled tothe electric powerhead 100 (e.g., electrically coupled by wires orwirelessly coupled). The controller 250 can include a processor andmemory device. The processor can be implemented as a general purposeprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one ormore field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a group of processingcomponents, or other suitable electronic processing components. Thememory device (e.g., memory, memory unit, storage device, etc.) is oneor more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard disk storage, etc.)for storing data and/or computer code for completing or facilitating thevarious processes, layers and modules described in the presentapplication. The memory device may be or include volatile memory ornon-volatile memory. The memory device may include database components,object code components, script components, or any other type ofinformation structure for supporting the various activities andinformation structures described in the present application. Accordingto an exemplary embodiment, the memory device is communicably connectedto the processor via a processing circuit and includes computer code forexecuting (e.g., by processing circuit and/or processor) one or moreprocesses described herein. The controller 250 may be positioned inand/or attached to the housing 115.

In some embodiments, an accessory interface is electrically coupled tothe controller 250 to provide data communications (e.g., transmissionand receipt of input and output signals or other data streams) withexternal electrical components via a communication port. In someembodiments, the accessory interface includes one or more power ports orcontacts and communication ports or contacts. In some embodiments, theaccessory interface includes a wireless transceiver to provide forwireless communication with an external electrical component. In someembodiments, a communication port can be used to allow an OEM or serviceprovider to send controller programming updates (e.g., firmware updates,software updates) to the controller 250. In some embodiments, thecontroller 250 is programmed to detect the type of equipment theelectric powerhead 100 is being used with. For example, the controller250 can be programmed to detect equipment-specific external electricalcomponents (e.g., plug-and-play components) and adjust operatingcharacteristics of the electric powerhead 100 according to instructionsspecific to that equipment. For example, the controller 250 could detectwalk behind lawn mower user controls connected to the accessoryinterface and limit the rotational speed of the electric motor 105 to3200 revolutions per minute (RPM) and could detect pressure washer usercontrols connected to the accessory interface and limit the rotationalspeed of the electric motor 105 to 3600 RPM.

In some embodiments, the one or more power ports or contacts provideelectricity to remote user controls (e.g., hand controls 370 describedfurther herein). When a remote user control is plugged into the powerport, the controller 250 is configured to detect the presence of theremote user control. Upon detection of the remote user control pluggedinto the power port, the controller 250 allows the remote user controlto override any on-board control. Thus, when a remote user control isnot plugged into the power port, a user can control the powerhead 100using on-board controls. As noted above, the controller 250 can performother functions upon detection of the remote user controls, such aslimiting the rotational speed of the electric motor 105.

In various contemplated embodiments, different hierarchies of controlscan be used. First, the remote user controls can be given preferenceover the on-board controls such that the remote user controls overrideinputs to the on-board controls. Second, the on-board controls can begiven preference over the remote user controls such that the on-boardcontrols override the remote user controls. Third, if the remote usercontrols are present (e.g., detected) the on-board controls aredisabled. Fourth, in some embodiments, the powerhead 100 off controlalways turns the powerhead 100 off without regard to where off controlis located (e.g., remotely, on-board).

In some embodiments, the electric powerhead 100 includes a speaker and awireless transceiver (e.g., Bluetooth) to communicate with a user device(e.g., smart phone, tablet, laptop, or other smart device) to play audioover the speaker. This enables the user to use the electric powerhead asa wireless radio or speaker.

In some cold weather embodiments, it may be useful to warm up the cellsof the battery 110 before using the battery 110 to power the electricmotor 105 or external electrical components. A warm-up system or circuitis provided so that cells of the battery 110 discharge for a period oftime to warm up the cells before the electric motor 105 or otherexternal electrical components are activated.

FIG. 7 illustrates a snow thrower 300 according to an exemplaryembodiment. The snow thrower 300 includes an electric powerhead 100attached to a mounting location or platform 305 in a horizontal shaftorientation. The electric powerhead 100 includes two battery receptacles215 and two removable batteries 110, thereby providing additionalelectrical energy for use by the electric powerhead 100 and any externalelectrical components connected to the electric powerhead 100. The snowthrower 300 includes an auger 310 positioned within an auger housing315. The auger 310 is driven by the electric motor 105 of the electricpowerhead 100 and is mechanically connected to the output shaft 130(e.g., by a transmission). The auger housing 315 is located at the frontof the body 320 of the snow thrower 300. A handle 325 extends from therear of the body 320 and includes a user interface 330 for the user tograsp to direct the travel of the snow thrower 300. The snow thrower 300also includes a pair of drive wheels 335. A chute 347 for directing snowoutput from the snow thrower 300 is rotatably connected to the body 320.A chute direction electric motor 350 rotates the chute 347 to a desireddirection. A deflector 355 is connected to the chute 347 to control theangle at which snow is output from the chute 347. A deflector electricmotor 360 may be provided to control the position of the deflector 355relative to the chute 347. User hand controls 370 are provided at theuser interface 330 to allow the user to provide operating commands(e.g., to activate or stop rotation of the auger 310, to activate orstop operation of the drive wheels 335, to set the maximum speed of thesnow thrower, to control the direction of travel of the snow thrower, tocontrol the position of the chute 347, to control the position of thedeflector 355, and to control operation of other components of the snowthrower). Types of user hand controls include one or more switches,buttons, sliders, levers, dials, touch screens, positions sensors,torque sensors, force sensors, and other user input devices.

The user hand controls 370 are electrically coupled to the accessoryinterface via the power and communication ports so that the batteries110 of the electric powerhead 100 provide power to these externalelectrical components and the controller 250 of the electric powerhead100 is in communication with these external electrical components andcan send and receive inputs and outputs to and from the externalelectrical components to control the electric motor 105, the battery110, and the external electrical components (e.g., to control the speedand direction of rotation of the drive wheels 335 in response to a userinput provided via the user hand controls 370). Communication may alsobe established wirelessly via a wireless transceiver to the externalelectrical components. Different embodiments of a snow thrower mayinclude more, fewer, or different combinations of external electricalcomponents. Other external electrical components include electric motordriven tillers, blowers, etc.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the user hand controls,referred to as on-board controls, are positioned on the housing 115 ofthe powerhead 100. When the user hand controls 370 positioned remotefrom the housing 115 (as described above) are plugged into the accessoryinterface, the controller 250 overrides inputs received from theon-board controls and allows the remote user hand controls 370 toprovide the control inputs to the controller 250 for operating thepowerhead 100.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 8, a run sensor 103 is includedwith the electric powerhead 100. The run sensor 103 is configured todetect when an implement on outdoor power equipment is in a ready-to-runcondition. As such, the run sensor 103 is communicably and operativelycoupled to the controller 250 and to remote user controls (e.g., usercontrols 370). Depending on the type of outdoor power equipment withwhich the powerhead 100 is used, the run sensor 103 can take differentforms. For example, the run sensor 103 may be a switch configured todetect the state (e.g., engaged or disengaged) of a brake or clutch(e.g., for a lawn mower), a switch configured to detect operatorpresence in the operating position (e.g., a hand-actuated switch on ahandle), an enable fob or key configured to allow the electric motor 105to start when actuated or present and prevent the electric motor 105from starting when not actuated or present, a switch configured to sensewater or another fluid (e.g., a capacitive water detection sensor, apressure sensor, a flow sensor) to ensure that a pump has sufficientfluid to operate safely (e.g., for a pressure washer or waste pump).

The controller 250 is configured to receive inputs associated with therun sensor 103. The controller 250 receives a ready-to-run signal fromthe run sensor 103. The electric motor 105 starts when upon receiving aready-to-run signal from the run sensor 103 and upon receiving anadditional start signal from the user interface (e.g., user controls370). Additional information or control logic may also be configured tostart the engine in combination with the status of the run sensor 103and/or other factors.

The Appendix included with the U.S. Provisional Application No.62/469,472, filed on Mar. 9, 2017 and incorporated herein by referencein its entirety, describes and illustrates various aspects of electricpowerheads and related outdoor power equipment.

The construction and arrangement of the apparatus, systems and methodsas shown in the various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only.Although only a few embodiments have been described in detail in thisdisclosure, many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes,dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements,values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.). For example, some elements shown as integrallyformed may be constructed from multiple parts or elements, the positionof elements may be reversed or otherwise varied and the nature or numberof discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. Accordingly,all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope ofthe present disclosure. The order or sequence of any process or methodsteps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternativeembodiments. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissionsmay be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of theexemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure.

The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and programproducts on any machine-readable media for accomplishing variousoperations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implementedusing existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computerprocessor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or anotherpurpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of thepresent disclosure include program products comprising machine-readablemedia for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or datastructures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be anyavailable media that can be accessed by a general purpose or specialpurpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example,such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROMor other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or storedesired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions ordata structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose orspecial purpose computer or other machine with a processor. Wheninformation is transferred or provided over a network or anothercommunications connection (either hardwired, wireless, or a combinationof hardwired or wireless) to a machine, the machine properly views theconnection as a machine-readable medium. Thus, any such connection isproperly termed a machine-readable medium. Combinations of the above arealso included within the scope of machine-readable media.Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions anddata which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer,or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function orgroup of functions.

Although the figures may show or the description may provide a specificorder of method steps, the order of the steps may differ from what isdepicted. Also two or more steps may be performed concurrently or withpartial concurrence. Such variation will depend on various factors,including software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice.All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise,software implementations could be accomplished with standard programmingtechniques with rule based logic and other logic to accomplish thevarious connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps anddecision steps.

As utilized herein, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,”and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony withthe common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art ofoutdoor power equipment. It should be understood by those of skill inthe art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended toallow a description of certain features described and claimed withoutrestricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical rangesprovided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicatingthat insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations ofthe subject matter described and are considered to be within the scopeof the disclosure.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electric powerhead, comprising: a plateincluding a shaft opening and a plurality of first openings arranged ina standard horizontal shaft engine mounting pattern; a batteryreceptacle configured to receive a battery, the battery configured to beattachable and removable from the battery receptacle without the use oftools; a base plate comprising a plurality of second openings arrangedin a standard horizontal shaft engine support pattern; and an electricmotor supported by the base plate, wherein the electric motor includesan output shaft that extends through the shaft opening of the plate andwherein the output shaft is configured to rotate about an axis ofrotation; wherein the base plate is configured to be fastened to amounting surface and to separate the electric motor and the batteryreceptacle from the mounting surface.
 2. The electric powerhead of claim1, wherein the plurality of first openings comprises four openings. 3.The electric powerhead of claim 1, wherein the plurality of secondopenings comprises four openings.
 4. The electric powerhead of claim 1,wherein a bottom surface of the base plate is spaced apart from the axisof rotation of the output shaft by a vertical distance equal to astandard horizontal shaft engine spacing.
 5. The electric powerhead ofclaim 4, wherein the vertical distance is between 4.1 and 4.2 inches. 6.The electric powerhead of claim 1, wherein a diameter of the outputshaft is equal to a standard small engine output shaft diameter.
 7. Theelectric powerhead of claim 6, wherein the diameter of the output shaftis between 0.74 and 0.79 inches.
 8. The electric powerhead of claim 1,wherein a length of the output shaft is equal to a standard small engineoutput shaft length.
 9. The electric powerhead of claim 8, wherein thelength of the output shaft is between 1.9 and 2.4 inches.
 10. Theelectric powerhead of claim 1, wherein the battery is configured toprovide electricity to the electric motor.
 11. The electric powerhead ofclaim 10, further comprising a plurality of battery receptaclessupported by the base plate, wherein the battery is configured to beremovably attached to one of the plurality of battery receptacles. 12.Outdoor power equipment, comprising: an electric powerhead comprising: aplate including a shaft opening and a plurality of first openingsarranged in a standard horizontal shaft engine mounting pattern; a baseplate comprising a plurality of second openings arranged in a standardhorizontal shaft engine support pattern; a battery receptacle; anelectric motor supported by the base plate, wherein the electric motorincludes an output shaft that extends through the shaft opening of theplate and wherein the output shaft is configured to rotate about an axisof rotation; and a battery configured to be removably attached to thebattery receptacle without the use of tools to provide electricity tothe electric motor; wherein the base plate is configured to be fastenedto a mounting surface and further configured to separate the electricmotor and the battery receptacle from the mounting surface.
 13. Theoutdoor power equipment of claim 12, wherein the plurality of firstopenings comprises four openings.
 14. The outdoor power equipment ofclaim 12, wherein the plurality of second openings comprises fouropenings.
 15. The outdoor power equipment of claim 12, wherein a bottomsurface of the base plate is spaced apart from the axis of rotation ofthe output shaft by a vertical distance equal to a standard horizontalshaft engine spacing.
 16. The outdoor power equipment of claim 15,wherein the vertical distance is between 4.1 and 4.2 inches.
 17. Theoutdoor power equipment of claim 12, wherein a diameter of the outputshaft is equal to a standard small engine output shaft diameter.
 18. Theoutdoor power equipment of claim 17, wherein the diameter of the outputshaft is between 0.74 and 0.79 inches.